The Girl You Never Knew

Ch. 2 Ode to Sleep

Walking towards the school, with my oh so lovely fries in hand, I asked Landon what he wanted for his birthday.

"I want a new family," he said, face completely straight.

I look at him with saddened eyes, knowing it was completely true. No one at school noticed the bruises, but I did. His parents were terrible people.

"Hey," I said, "you turn eighteen in a few days, just come live with me. You basically already do."

He chuckles slightly, "You know what? I just might."

"You better, I need help with the rent," I say, joking, trying to lighten the mood.

I throw a fry at his head and he ducks, barely missing it. "What are you doing?! Why would you waste a perfectly good fry like that?"

I shrug, "Josh probably spit in them anyways."

We walk in silence for a few moments. Looking over at the park I make a split second decision. "Detour!" I yell while grabbing Landon's hoodie, running across the street towards the swings.

"What the-"

"Shh, I need my swing time."

"You're such a child," he scolds.

"Oh you love me," I say back, giggling.

"Er, c'mon, we're gonna be late for the basketball game. If we are, Carter will kill us."

"Oh no he won't, he loves me."

He gives me a look that tells me I'm treading on thin ice. "You need to set up the drums and Staci isn't coming today."

"Shit!" I scream, and start running for the high school.

We reach the school at 4:48 and hurry to move the drum set from the band room to the gym - on the other side of the building.

-

The game went as planned, girls won 73 to 38, boys 45 to 40. Our girls on the path to state, the band right along with them.

1/2/16